Zun Motorsport Crew are switching to GT World Challenge Asia full-time this year with two new-for-2020 Mercedes-AMG GT3s.
The Chinese team, which made a one-off appearance in Shanghai at the end of last season, has split its two entries between the Silver and Am Cup classes. Adderly Fong is joined by Alex Fontana while Andrew Kim links up with Ma Ka Chun.
Fong made his first GT World Challenge Asia appearance in 2017 and was part of Zun’s fact finding mission in September. He has also raced with the team at Macau for the past two years after previously piloting Absolute Racing-run Audis and Bentleys.
The Chinese driver and Fontana shared the same GP3 Series paddock in 2013-15 before both switched their attention to GT3 racing.
“Going into 2020 I’m very happy to have an opportunity to race with Zun Motorsport Crew again,” said Fong. “We’ve had success in previous races in China and hope to grow that success in Asia. I’m really happy to be partnering Alex Fontana as we knew each other previously in single-seaters. We also know Ka Chun and Andrew Kim, who join us in the sister car. I’m eager to see what this year brings.”
Fontana gained experience of the previous-generation Mercedes-AMG during his time in the European Blancpain GT Series, although it was while driving an Emil Frey Jaguar that he clinched the same championship’s Endurance Cup Silver class title in 2018.
“I’m delighted to be part of Zun Motorsport Crew for this season and to be back in an SRO championship,” said the Swiss, whose crash helmet features the design of former Welsh grand prix driver Tom Pryce. “Despite previously competing in the same European series, and racing in Asia last year, this will be my first time in GT World Challenge Asia. I’m very motivated to start racing. It’s a new team for me but Zun have plenty of highly skilled personnel who I already know, and I am sharing the car with a very good co-driver whom I raced against in single-seaters a few years back. There is much potential and I’m looking forward to the start of the season.”
The team’s second entry features two Am drivers with prior GT World Challenge Asia experience. Kim raced with Fong full-time in 2018, while Ma was part of Zun’s championship foray last season. He has also made several Audi R8 LMS Cup appearances with the same team.
“I am the youngest driver with the least racing experience in the team but will try my best to follow up and learn from my team-mates,” he said. “There are only six chances this season and I will strive to seize all of them. I wish all the best to my team.”
Kim added: “I am really happy to be back racing and happy to join Zun Motorsport. Big thanks to the team for giving me the opportunity. It is a new chapter of racing for me and I am looking forward to some good results with Zun and Ka Chun. I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Team manager Eddy Wong remains realistic about the team’s chances against the championship’s established entries but is confident of making progress throughout the season.
“The team has only existed for two years but we are excited and ready to take on the challenge of participating in GT World Challenge Asia this year,” he said. “Our goal is to obtain more experience and strive for any opportunity to achieve a podium finish. We realise it will not be an easy journey as this is one of the most competitive GT series in Asia. With the great effort of our drivers and team we hope to improve steadily over time and have a successful 2020 season.”
Sepang hosts the opening round of GT World Challenge Asia’s 11-race 2020 campaign on March 28/29.